Adjusting volume levels of speakers

ABSTRACT

When the volume is adjusted in a multi-speaker system, it is desirable that one speaker does not change volume disproportionately with respect to another speaker. A method is presented for adjusting a volume level of one or more speakers. Each speaker can have a non-standardized relationship between logical volume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level that is produced by the speaker. A selected volume level, corresponding to a sound pressure level, can be received via a user interface. A stored lookup table can be accessed to convert the sound pressure level to a first product-specific logical volume level for each speaker. The stored lookup table can tabulate the non-standardized relationship between logical volume level and sound pressure level for each speaker. Data corresponding to the first product-specific logical volume level can be transmitted to each speaker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/617,692 filed on Jun. 8, 2017, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to adjusting a volume level of one ormore speakers.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

When the volume is adjusted in a multi-speaker system, it is desirablethat one speaker does not change volume disproportionately with respectto another speaker. For example, in a system that includes two speakersmade by different manufacturers, the relationship between logical volumelevel (e.g., a digital value sent to the speaker) and actual volumeproduced by the speaker can vary between the speakers. As a result,sending a particular value of logical volume level (e.g., a level of“11”) to these two speakers may cause one speaker to be significantlylouder than the other. This can lead to a perception of imbalancebetween the speakers, which is undesirable.

SUMMARY

One example can include a method for adjusting a volume level of a firstspeaker. The first speaker can have a non-standardized relationshipbetween logical volume level that is input to the speaker and soundpressure level that is produced by the speaker. A selected volume levelcorresponding to a sound pressure level can be received via a userinterface. A stored lookup table can be accessed to convert the soundpressure level to a first product-specific logical volume level for thefirst speaker. The stored lookup table can tabulate the non-standardizedrelationship between logical volume level and sound pressure level forthe first speaker. Data corresponding to the first product-specificlogical volume level can be transmitted to the first speaker.

Another example can include a method for adjusting volume levels offirst and second speakers. The first and second speakers can each have anon-standardized relationship between logical volume level that is inputto the speaker and sound pressure level that is produced by the speaker.A selected volume level corresponding to a sound pressure level can bereceived via a user interface. A stored lookup table can be accessed toconvert the sound pressure level to first and second product-specificlogical volume levels for the first and second speakers, respectively.The stored lookup table can tabulate the non-standardized relationshipsbetween logical volume level and sound pressure level for the first andsecond speakers. Data corresponding to the first product-specificlogical volume level can be transmitted to the first speaker. Datacorresponding to the second product-specific logical volume level can betransmitted to the second speaker.

Another example can include a system. The system can include aprocessor, and a memory device storing instructions executable by theprocessor. The instructions can being executable by the processor toperform a method for adjusting a volume level of a first speaker. Thefirst speaker can have a non-standardized relationship between logicalvolume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level thatis produced by the speaker. A selected volume level corresponding to asound pressure level can be received via a user interface. A storedlookup table can be accessed to convert the sound pressure level to afirst product-specific logical volume level for the first speaker. Thestored lookup table can tabulate the non-standardized relationshipbetween logical volume level and sound pressure level for the firstspeaker. Data corresponding to the first product-specific logical volumelevel can be transmitted to the first speaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example of a volume-control systemthat can control the volume of a single speaker, or one or more speakersin a multi-speaker audio system, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an example of a method for adjusting avolume level of a speaker, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a volume-control systemthat can be used to adjust the volume of one speaker, or simultaneouslyadjust the volume of two or more speakers in a multi-speaker system, inaccordance with some examples.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Elements in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale. The configurations shown in the drawings aremerely examples, and should not be construed as limiting the scope ofthe invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example of a volume-control systemthat can control the volume of a single speaker, or one or more speakersin a multi-speaker audio system, in accordance with some examples.

In this example, speakers 102A and 104A are a matched pair of speakers(e.g., two units of the same product). Speaker 106B is a differentspeaker product from 102A and 104A, and can be made by the samemanufacturer or a different manufacturer. The speakers 102A, 104A, and106B can each have a non-standardized relationship between logicalvolume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level thatis produced by the speaker. Speaker 106B can have a differentrelationship between logical volume level and sound pressure level thanspeakers 102A and 104A.

The volume-control system can run as an application on a user device108. The application can present a user interface to a user on a screenof the user device. A user selects a desired volume level on the userinterface. In this example, the desired volume level is “5”.

In this example, the desired volume level is specified in non-standardunits. The application can convert the desired volume of “5” to astandardized measure of volume. In this example, the standardizedmeasure of volume is sound pressure level, although other standardizedmeasures can also be used. In this example, the application converts “5”to a sound pressure level of 60 decibels, or 60 dB_(SPL).

The application can access a lookup table to convert the sound pressurelevel to a product-specific logical volume levels for each speaker. Thelookup table can be maintained by an owner or operator of theapplication, and can include measured data for each speaker. Themeasured data can tabulate the relationship between logical volume levelsent to the speaker and sound pressure level produced by the speaker. Inthis example, the application can convert 60 dB_(SPL) to a logicalvolume level of “3” for speakers 102A and 104A, and “6” for speaker106B. In other words, setting speaker 102A to “3” produces a soundpressure level of 60 dB_(SPL), setting speaker 104A to “3” produces asound pressure level of 60 dB_(SPL), and setting speaker 106B to “6”produces a sound pressure level of 60 dB_(SPL).

The application can transmit data corresponding to each product-specificlogical volume level to the respective speaker. In this example, theapplication sends a logical volume level of “3” to speakers 102A and104A, and a logical volume level of “6” to speaker 106B.

By adjusting the volume in this manner, the application can ensure thatspeaker volumes are adjusted together in a manner that does not raise orlower the volume of one speaker disproportionately over another speaker.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an example of a method for adjusting avolume level of a speaker, in accordance with some examples. The methodcan also adjust volume levels of first and second speakers, or anysuitable number of speakers, such as in a multi-speaker sound system. Insome examples, the method can adjust the volume levels simultaneously.In some examples, the method can be executed by a software applicationstored locally on a user device, such as a smart phone, a tablet, alaptop, a computer, a computing device, or another suitable device.

The speaker can have a non-standardized relationship between logicalvolume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level thatis produced by the speaker. In many cases, logical volume level may notbe standardized from product-to-product or manufacturer-to-manufacturer.For example, a logical volume level of “3” may produce a sound pressurelevel of 50 dB_(SPL), for one particular speaker product, but 55dB_(SPL), for another speaker product. These numerical values are butexamples; other suitable numerical values can also be used.

At operation 202, the software application can receive, via a userinterface, a selected volume level corresponding to a sound pressurelevel. In some examples, the software application can display the userinterface on a screen of a user device. In some examples, the screen canbe touch-sensitive. In some examples, the software application canreceive the selected volume level on the touch-sensitive screen. In someexamples, the user interface can include one or more controls thatresemble the volume controls on a remote control device. For example, auser can select a volume level of “3” on the user interface.

Because the selected volume level, 3, is not standardized fromproduct-to-product or manufacturer-to-manufacturer, the software canrelate the selected volume level to a sound pressure level. Soundpressure levels are standardized, and are defined as the local pressuredeviation from the ambient (average, or equilibrium) atmosphericpressure, caused by a sound wave. For example, the software can relatethe selected volume level of 3 to a sound pressure level of 60 dB_(SPL),which can correspond roughly to a relatively quiet volume, such as forconversation speech at a distance of 1 meter. If the user cranks thevolume to 11, the software can relate the selected volume level of 11 toa sound pressure level of 100 dB_(SPL), which can correspond roughly toa relatively loud volume, such as a location 1 meter away from a speakerin loud nightclub. These numerical values are but mere examples, andother suitable values can also be used.

At operation 204, the software application can access a stored lookuptable to convert the sound pressure level to a product-specific logicalvolume level for the speaker. The stored lookup table can tabulate thenon-standardized relationship between logical volume level and soundpressure level for the speaker, and optionally, for additional speakerproducts. The lookup table can provide the logical value of a particularspeaker that will produce a specific sound pressure level for thatspeaker. For matched speakers, such as a pair of speakers that are twounits of the same product made by the same manufacturer, the lookuptable can include one tabulation that covers all the matched speakers.It is intended that the stored lookup table include one measured set ofvalues for each speaker product that is commercially available. It isnot intended that the stored lookup table address part-to-partvariations of the same speaker product.

In some examples, the stored lookup table can be maintained or updatedby a manufacturer of the software application, and can include ameasured relationship between logical volume level and sound pressurelevel for each of the speakers included in the stored lookup table. Insome examples, the stored lookup table can be updated as needed toinclude additional speaker products that are introduced to themarketplace. In some examples, more than one stored lookup table can beused. In some examples, the stored lookup table can be stored locally onthe user device. In some examples, the stored lookup table can tabulatethe non-standardized relationship between logical volume level and soundpressure level for multiple speakers, of which at least two speakers canbe different products.

In some examples, for at least one of the plurality of speakers, thestored lookup table can include only discrete values of logical volumelevel. For these examples, for a sound pressure level that correspondsto a logical volume level that falls between two tabulated values, thesoftware application can select a closer of the two tabulated values.For example, for a specified sound pressure level of 73 dB_(SPL), andtabulated values in the lookup table of 72 dB_(SPL) for a logical volumelevel of 5 and 75 dB_(SPL) for a logical volume level of 6, the softwareapplication can select the logical volume level of 5 as being closer tothe specified sound pressure level. This is but a numerical example;other suitable values can also be used.

In other examples, the software application can interpolate to generatean intermediate logical volume level that falls between the discretevalues. In some examples, for at least one of the plurality of speakers,the stored lookup table can include a mathematical relationship thatallows calculation of logical volume level from the sound pressurelevel. In some examples, for at least one of the plurality of speakers,the stored lookup table can include only values of logical volume levelat which the sound pressure level is less than or equal to a specifiedmaximum sound pressure level for the speaker, which can prevent damageto the speaker.

At operation 206, the software application can transmit datacorresponding to the first product-specific logical volume level to thefirst speaker. In some examples, in which the software application cancontrol multiple speakers, the software application can transmit datacorresponding to the each product-specific logical volume level to eachrespective speaker.

In some examples, the receiving at operation 202, the accessing atoperation 204, and the transmitting at operation 206 can be initiatedautomatically by the software application. In other examples, one ormore of these operations can be initiated automatically by a serverconnected to the software application on the user device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a volume-control system300 that can be used to adjust the volume of one speaker, orsimultaneously adjust the volume of two or more speakers in amulti-speaker system, in accordance with some examples. Thevolume-control system 300 is but one example of such a volume-controlsystem; other suitable volume-control systems can also be used. In someexamples, the volume-control system 300 can execute the method 200 ofFIG. 2; other suitable volume-control systems can also execute themethod 200 of FIG. 2.

In some examples, the volume-control system 300 can be configured assoftware executable on a user device, such as a smart phone, a tablet, alaptop, a computer, or another suitable device. In the specific exampleof FIG. 3, the volume-control system 300 includes a software applicationthat can run on a mobile device 302, such as a smart phone.

The volume-control system 300 can include a processor 304, and a memorydevice 306 storing instructions executable by the processor 304. Theinstructions can be executed by the processor 304 to perform a methodfor adjusting a volume level of a first speaker, a first speaker and asecond speaker, or more than two speakers in a multi-speaker system.

The mobile device 302 can include a processor 304. The processor 304 maybe any of a variety of different types of commercially availableprocessors 304 suitable for mobile devices 302 (for example, an XScalearchitecture microprocessor, a microprocessor without interlockedpipeline stages (MIPS) architecture processor, or another type ofprocessor 304). A memory 306, such as a random access memory (RAM), aflash memory, or other type of memory, is typically accessible to theprocessor 304. The memory 306 may be adapted to store an operatingsystem (OS) 308, as well as application programs 310, such as a mobilelocation enabled. In some examples, the memory 306 can store the lookuptable discussed above. The processor 304 may be coupled, either directlyor via appropriate intermediary hardware, to a display 312 and to one ormore input/output (I/O) devices 314, such as a keypad, a touch panelsensor, a microphone, and the like. In some examples, the display 312can display the user interface to a user, and can receive selection of adesired volume level from the user. Similarly, in some examples, theprocessor 304 may be coupled to a transceiver 316 that interfaces withan antenna 318. The transceiver 316 may be configured to both transmitand receive cellular network signals, wireless data signals, or othertypes of signals via the antenna 318, depending on the nature of themobile device 302. Further, in some configurations, a GPS receiver 320may also make use of the antenna 318 to receive GPS signals. In someexamples, the transceiver 316 can transmit signals over a wirelessnetwork that correspond to logical volume levels for respective speakersin a multi-speaker system.

While this invention has been described as having example designs, thepresent invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for adjusting a volume level of a first speaker and a second speaker, the first speaker having a first non-standardized relationship between logical volume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level that is produced by the speaker, the second speaker having a second non-standardized relationship between logical volume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level that is produced by the speaker, the first non-standardized relationship being different from the second non-standardized relationship, the method comprising: receiving, via a user interface, a selected volume level corresponding to a sound pressure level; in response to the received selected volume level, automatically accessing a software application that allows access to a stored lookup table to convert the sound pressure level to a first product-specific logical volume level for the first speaker and to a second product-specific logical volume level for the second speaker, the stored lookup table tabulating non-standardized relationships between logical volume level and sound pressure level for a plurality of product-specific speakers including the first speaker and the second speaker, the first product-specific logical volume level differing from the second product-specific logical volume level; in response to the received selected volume level, automatically transmitting first data corresponding to the first product-specific logical volume level to the first speaker; and in response to the received selected volume level, automatically transmitting second data corresponding to the second product-specific logical volume level to the second speaker.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are different products.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the software application is configured to, in response to the receiving, initiate the accessing and the transmitting.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the software application is stored locally on a user device.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the stored lookup table is stored locally on the user device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored lookup table tabulates measured relationships between logical volume level and sound pressure level for the plurality of product-specific speakers, the plurality of product-specific speakers including the first speaker and the second speaker.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of product-specific speakers: the stored lookup table includes only discrete values of logical volume level; and for a sound pressure level that corresponds to a logical volume level that falls between two tabulated values, the software application selects a closer of the two tabulated values.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of product-specific speakers: the stored lookup table includes a mathematical relationship that allows calculation of logical volume level from the sound pressure level.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of product-specific speakers: the stored lookup table includes only values of logical volume level at the sound pressure level is less than or equal to a specified maximum sound pressure level for the speaker.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein: the relationship between logical volume level and sound pressure level for the first speaker is independent of audio content sent to the first speaker, and the relationship between logical volume level and sound pressure level for the second speaker is independent of audio content sent to the second speaker.
 11. A method for adjusting a volume level of a first speaker and a second speaker, the first speaker having a first non-standardized relationship between logical volume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level that is produced by the speaker, the second speaker having a second non-standardized relationship between logical volume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level that is produced by the speaker, the first non-standardized relationship being different from the second non-standardized relationship, the method comprising: receiving, via a user interface, a first selected volume level corresponding to a first sound pressure level; in response to the received first selected volume level, automatically accessing a software application that allows access to a stored lookup table to convert the first sound pressure level to a first product-specific logical volume level for the first speaker and to a second product-specific logical volume level for the second speaker, the stored lookup table tabulating non-standardized relationships between logical volume level and sound pressure level for a plurality of product-specific speakers including the first speaker and the second speaker, the first product-specific logical volume level differing from the second product-specific logical volume level; in response to the received first selected volume level, automatically transmitting first data corresponding to the first product-specific logical volume level to the first speaker; in response to the received first selected volume level, automatically transmitting second data corresponding to the second product-specific logical volume level to the second speaker; receiving, via the user interface, a second selected volume level corresponding to a second sound pressure level; in response to the received second selected volume level, automatically accessing the software application to convert the second sound pressure level to a third product-specific logical volume level for the first speaker and to a fourth product-specific logical volume level for the second speaker, the third product-specific logical volume level differing from the fourth product-specific logical volume level; in response to the received second selected volume level, automatically transmitting third data corresponding to the third product-specific logical volume level to the first speaker; in response to the received first second selected volume level, automatically transmitting fourth data corresponding to the fourth product-specific logical volume level to the second speaker.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the software application is configured to, in response to the receiving, initiate the accessing and the transmitting.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the software application is stored locally on a user device.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the stored lookup table is stored locally on the user device.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the stored lookup table tabulates measured relationships between logical volume level and sound pressure level for the plurality of product-specific speakers, the plurality of product-specific speakers including the first speaker and the second speaker.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of product-specific speakers: the stored lookup table includes only discrete values of logical volume level; and for a sound pressure level that corresponds to a logical volume level that falls between two tabulated values, the software application selects a closer of the two tabulated values.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of product-specific speakers: the stored lookup table includes a mathematical relationship that allows calculation of logical volume level from the sound pressure level.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein, for at least one of the plurality of product-specific speakers: the stored lookup table includes only values of logical volume level at which the sound pressure level is less than or equal to a specified maximum sound pressure level for the speaker.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein: the relationship between logical volume level and sound pressure level for the first speaker is independent of audio content sent to the first speaker, and the relationship between logical volume level and sound pressure level for the second speaker is independent of audio content sent to the second speaker.
 20. A volume-control system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions being executable by the processor to perform a method for adjusting a volume level of a first speaker and a second speaker, the first speaker and the second speaker each having non-standardized and different relationships between logical volume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level that is produced by the speaker, the method comprising: receiving, via a user interface, a selected volume level corresponding to a sound pressure level; in response to the received selected volume level, automatically accessing a software application that allows access to a stored lookup table to convert the sound pressure level to a first product-specific logical volume level for the first speaker and to a second product-specific logical volume level for the second speaker, the stored lookup table tabulating non-standardized relationships between logical volume level and sound pressure level for a plurality of product-specific speakers including the first speaker and the second speaker, the first product-specific logical volume level differing from the second product-specific logical volume level; in response to the received selected volume level, automatically transmitting first data corresponding to the first product-specific logical volume level to the first speaker; and in response to the received selected volume level, automatically transmitting second data corresponding to the second product-specific logical volume level to the second speaker. 